Donn's Shadow

The Soul Searchers Mysteries, Book 2

By: Caryn Larrinaga

Narrated by: Jessica McEvoy

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Return to the most haunted small town in America....

Mackenzie Clair finally has this whole ghost-hunting psychic thing figured out. The Soul Searchers are a hit, she’s got pet-parenting down, and she even has a plan to banish the poltergeist running amok at a lakeside cabin. Best of all, Donn’s Hill feels like home. But not everyone loves the town as much as Mac.

A world-famous paranormal debunker thinks the psychics in Donn’s Hill are lying about their abilities. His determination to destroy the Soul Searchers threatens Mac’s livelihood, and when a killer strikes, the sheriff’s suspicions threaten her freedom.

Mac needs all the help she can get to find the real murderer and clear her name...even if that help comes from beyond the grave.

©2019 Caryn Larrinaga (P)2020 Caryn Larrinaga

Donn's Shadow

Donn's Shadow continues Caryn Larrinaga’s The Soul Searchers Mysteries. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Donn's Hill, and this one does not disappoint. It was great catching up with Mackenzie and seeing what would be happening next with her. I had the pleasure to listening to the audio version of this book. Once again, Jessica McEvoy, is the narrator and does a fantastic job bringing Mackenzie’s story to life. Great entertainment.

I am giving Donn’s Shadow four and a half stars. I am hoping there will be a third book releasing from The Soul Searchers Mysteries in the future.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

The Ghostly Thrills Continue

It’s been about one year since Mac Clair discovered that she is a psychic. Her job with Soul Searchers is going well and her relationship with Graham is going well. But when famous debunker Raziel sets his eyes on the Soul Searchers things are going to get heated. But Mac discovering another dead body puts her in the person of interest’s category again.

Mac is also up against a powerful ghost that directs her to a dybbuk box. The discovery of this book seems to put a curse on Mac and her friends. As everything seems to be crashing down around her it’s up to Mac to find the truth and learn to ask for help.

I really like this series and I think Jessica McEvoy breathes life to the characters and the story. Things seem to be going so well for the Soul Searchers and Mac. But this is going to change quickly. A séance brings a new and powerful spirit to Mac’s attention, and it seems he likes to follow her around. He also gets her mixed up with a cursed object that seems to be breaking up her life.

I enjoyed how things are going to Mac, but I did get frustrated by her naivety. I understand she wants to think the best of people, but it almost gets her killed. I still say Striker is my favorite character, but I have a soft spot for torties. Thank goodness she is there to guide Mac to what is under her nose.

I’m kind of torn on the ending. I understand how this is going to progress, but I worry about how this is going to work out in the next book. I guess I just need to read it to see.

If you are looking for a good, cozy, paranormal mystery you need to check this series out. Although you could start with this book, I would recommend starting at the Donn’s Hill so you don’t miss anything.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to listen to and post an honest review.

Paranormals and Murder

My two favorite things in one story - a murder mystery and paranormal investigation. When a paranormal investigator tries to contact one spirit, she encounters another, this leading to murder. There are no ghosts jumping out screaming "boo", just actions that appear normal, sort of. Greed coupled with misdirection keep this story moving. I received this audiobook at no cost from Audiobookworm for my honest review.

A very good mystery

A fun and entertaining paranormal mystery, with attractive and realistic, flawed characters and a good plot.

I liked the idea of a town in which paranormal is an everyday matter and the struggle is between old-timers and new-comers as some of the latter aren't very honest, to say the least.

I like that the sense of horror is brought by the mystery and not by gruesome happenings, and it never goes over the top.

The writing is really good and Jessica McEvoy's narration is truly great.

I received this audiobook at no-cost from Audiobookworm Promotions. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Great follow up to book 1

I am really loving this mystery series! I finished book 1 and immediately started this book. It picked right up from the first book so I don't feel as though I missed anything along the way. The characters are wonderful and believable, which is so important to me when listening to this type of book. I would definitely recommend starting with the first book if you are considering this series. Otherwise you are missing a lot of background on both the characters and what has led them to this point. I am hoping this series continues and will be looking forward to book 3. I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator

Good continuation of series

Note: While this is book 2 in the series it would work pretty well as a stand alone. Of course, book 1 is good, so I encourage people to check it out as well.

Mac has gotten caught up in the center of a drama in Donn’s Hill. A well-known myth buster or paranormal debunker Raziel is coming for a visit and many residents of the spiritual community are not happy. Raziel and his popular show have a reputation of viciously discrediting paranormal incidents and those who claim to have special supernatural gifts.

Right away, I was pulled into the story. I’m a skeptic when it comes to the paranormal (even though I love reading urban fantasy and the like), but I sympathized with Mac and her friends. There’s no need for Raziel to be mean about it, right? And yet I too don’t like seeing people who are in emotional distress bein cheated by frauds. So I was hoping for some kind of happy medium reconciliation between these two groups and I was looking forward to seeing how Mac would help make that happen.

Ha! And this tale had a twist early on meaning I wouldn’t being getting what I expected. Raziel arrives with his show’s productions team and immediately stat hanging out with the locals, making them uncomfortable. Mac’s best friend Kit really dislikes Raziel, but she is interested in Amari (Raziel’s personal assistant). Raziel really wants to tag along to a séance that Mac is leading but he’s turned down. Yet this man is sneaky. Lots of drama follows.

Next, murder! Yes! That’s what I’m here for. Some are relieved at the death, some are worried. Mac is concerned too. She had an altercation with the dead and then even stumbled upon the body. So of course the police have to look hard at her. Meanwhile, it feels like things are kind of falling apart. Plenty of people are having emotional outbursts that aren’t like them. There’s problems with the TV show Soul Searchers (run by Uri and Kit with Mac and Mark helping out). Mac even has an argument with Graham. Striker the cat gets a mysterious injury. And most disturbing to Mac, she learns that several of her friends have been faking their paranormal abilities.

I really enjoyed Mac’s exploration of this. People have a variety of reasons for faking their abilities and not everyone is out to make a lot of money. Mac turns to her friends Nick and Daphne and Steven to help make sense this. She feels that she’s been naïve and that some of the fakers have taken advantage of her.

There’s also ghosts and evil entities that cause Mac no end of trouble too. I liked that she reached out to her friend Gabriel (from book 1) even tho things aren’t the best between them right now. The suspense ramps up and then sneakily smacks you in the face with the answer as to who committed to the murder. I totally did not suspect that person at all. Meanwhile, there’s still a bigger mystery to answer dealing with the paranormal. The tale ends on a cliffhanger so luckily I have book 3 queued up! 4/5 stars.

The Narration: Jessica McEvoy was a great fit for Mac. She really had her voice down to a T and I especially liked how she captured Mac’s emotions throughout the story. McEvoy also provided a variety of accents for the cast of characters and I felt her international accents for Steven (rune reader) and Amari were very well done. The guys sound like guys too. The pacing was perfect & there were no tech issues with the recording. 5/5 stars.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Caryn Larrinaga. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Paranormal Thriller

I’m enjoying this Soul Searchers Mystery series but recommend reading/listen to Donn’s Hill first to get the full effects of the characters. The main character is Mackenzie a psychic and her cat Striker in this book is trying to solve the murder of Raziel in the town of Donn’s Hill. It was good thriller/mystery with paranormal twists and turns, also enjoy the characters of Graham and Kit. Hope the next book doesn’t take 3 yrs. but hope there is a next one. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

Love, love, love

It's rare for me to find a sequel that rivals with the original, but this one does it. The only thing wrong with it is that it ends. The pacing is good, the story is intriguing, and the characters are fabulous. Jessica, as always, delivers a fabulous vocal performance - getting into characters with ease. Definitely worth your time!

Perfect Blending

Great storyteller. Makes you believe in possibilities. Perfect blend of mystery, paranormal and romance. Looking forward to next release.
This audio was given to me free and I voluntarily gave this review.

moving closer to uncovering something more

Returning to Donn's Hill and syncing backup with Mac and Striker was just what the day called for. I loved meeting the challenge of this new mystery. I loved seeing a different yet the same side of Max. Striker was just what you would expect and then more all at the same time. This supernatural mystery lured me in and kept me going all the way through to the end.

I found this to be a cozy mystery with more.

Jessica McEvoy voice that felt like home in the cozy mystery genre.